READINGS IN PHILIPPINE HISTRORY (GED 105)

Content and Contextual Analysis

Type of Primary Source: Written Sources

Antonio Pigafetta’s First Voyage Around the World

Submitted by:

April Chammy D. Balba

BS Psychology 1101

Submitted to:

Mr. Bernardo P. Labosta Jr.

GED 105 Instructor

 A. Background of the Author/Creator

Between 1418 and 1491, Antonio Lombardo or Francisco Antonio Pigafetta was born in
Vicenza, Italy. Pigafetta was born into a well-to-do family in Vicenza. He studied astronomy,
and geography throughout his adolescence. He is Giovanni Pigafetta's eldest child with Angelo
Zoga, his second marriage. He is an adventurer and researcher from the Republic of Venice,
Italy.

He served onboard the Knights of Rhodes galleys in the beginning of the 16th century
before becoming a historian. He traveled to Spain with the papal nuncio, Monsignor Chieregati,
until 1519. Pigafetta write five books: the II Primo Viaggio Intorno, Al Mondo, To American
Around the World, (Volumes one to three).

On his trip to the Indies, he also joined Ferdinand Magellan's expedition to the Spice
Islands, which has been traveling under the flag of Emperor King Charles I of Spain. He also
acted as Magellan's assistant and kept a detailed journal, which he subsequently used to help him
translate Cebuano, a Philippine language. It is the first written record of this language.

Pigafetta was wounded at the battle of the island in Mactan, Philippines, where Magellan
died. Despite this, he healed and was one of the 18 people that went back to Spain with Juan
Sebastián Elcano aboard the Victoria. Pigafetta returned to the Republic of Venice three years
after his departure. In Relazione del primo viaggio intorno al mondo (Report on the First Voyage
Around the World), he wrote in Italian about his experiences. The document was not published
in its entirety until the late eighteenth century, despite sections being published in Paris in 1525.
The original document has been lost.

On 1531, he died in the same city Venice Italy.

B. Historical Background of the Primary Source

"The First Voyage Around the World," is a narrative and geographical account of the
trip from Patagonia to Indonesia, from the Philippines to the Cape of Good Hope, it is a
classic discovery and adventure literature. It's also a very realistic anthropological and
geographical description of the voyage, and it's acquired a reputation among modern
historiographers and scholars of early European-Oriental relations.

Magellan set sail with 270 men and five ships on August 10, 1519: the Trinidad,
which was sunk in a storm, the San Antonio, which was abandoned by the expedition, the
Conception, which was damaged and burned by the crew, the Santiago, which went missing
at sea, and the Victoria which was the first ship to sail around the world successfully.

Only three (3) ships out of five (5) made it to the Philippines: the Concepcion,
Trinidad, and Victoria. However, when the Concepcion arrived in the Philippines, its crew
burned it. The two ships Trinidad and Victoria return to Spain after the battle of Mactan, in
which Magellan was killed. Since Trinidad was trapped in a storm, Victoria is the only one
who has survived. Fortunately, Pigefetta was one of Victoria's passengers who survived,
that’s why he was able to keep a record of their journey.

Pigafetta recorded Magellan's journey because he heard of Magellan's expedition and,

wanting to understand more about the globe, he requested and received permission to
accompany the voyage. The intended audience of this document is the students since it was
written on a journal. The original journal of “The First Voyage Around The World” did not
survive throughout history. Furthermore, what was handed to us was just the manuscript.

C. Content Analysis of the Important Historical Information Found in the Document

One interpretation claims that the inclusion of the Magellan Route, the First Around
the World, on the Tentative List is based on its undeniable global importance (material and
intangible, real and symbolic). This path was made possible by a combination of Magellan's
individual brilliance and the collective efforts of others who battled to overcome a lack of
understanding about seas and other continents. It thus became the first worldwide route,
facilitating all kinds of exchanges for centuries.

According to the second version, Magellan's goal was to reach the Spice Islands,
which are now known as the Maluku Islands. Spices were used to season meat and fish,
either to enhance tastes or to mask those caused by storage conditions. The quest for spices
went on for decades after that.

Furthermore, based on our instructor's paper and other interpretations, I believe

Magellan wants to travel the world in order to prove that the world is round, and after reading
and exploring, I believe he succeeded in his objective.

D. Contribution and Relevance of the Document in Understanding the Grand

Narrative of Philippine History

Reading this document helps us to know the different native products during the pre-
colonial period such as palm wine, figs coconuts, palmito, and such. The said products was
mentioned in the document and it is really obvious how simple their life and even their food
before. The second one is it proves that the most of the Filipinos are hospitable even before
because they know how to respect superiors which was also mentioned in the document.

Magellan’s journey is the cause and him proving that the earth is round, as well as us
believing in his theory is the consequence.

E. Relevance of the Document to the Present Time

Knowing our ancestors' origins helps us love our culture even more, because it only
demonstrates that as a Filipino it is natural for us to respect and be hospitable, as it is what
the rest of the world knows about us. And like Magellan, if we truly want to prove anything,
we must put up the effort to make it possible.